General Discussion (Model Railroader)

I'm looking at using the Cornerstone modular system to install around a rotary dumper I've built.  They're on sale again in the November flyer.  I need to know the approximate section dimensions (HxW) of the 2-story large wall to give me an idea of what's needed.  Haven't been able to find this info on Walthers web site.  Finished building will occupy about 10" x 12".  Do I need columns (pilasters) and top caps?  Thanx in advance.  Gary 

The large wall sections (double windows) are approximately 4 inches wide, with the corners they will yield a structure close to 4.5 inches wide. If you want a structure that is 10 X 12 you need 3 large sections to give you about 12.5 inches and 2 large and one small wall section to give you about 10.5 inches wide. You need columns, corners, top caps as well as roofs and bases. Foundations are optional but give a nice effect.

You will have to either make your own roof or bash some of the modular roof to get a 10 inch wide roof.

 Thanks, Mike.  Judging from pictures, I'm guessing the height would be about 4-4.5 also??  Unit is already on a 12" x 12" .100 styrene base, which can be extended (i.e., patched onto).  Once building configuration and size is figured, I'll be constructing the foundation (.125 styrene) and the roof.  Base to rail top in dump cylinder is about 1", so the base will end up below grade,  Project follows no prototype and is crude enough that it MUST be totally enclosed.  That's what I get for working without plans and engineering on the run.  The only documentation on paper is the wiring schematic. It is all powered, with top car clamp, operating door, and rotating drum sequencing in that order.  Once it's all done, the next step will be to get started on the layout it will end up on...  Thanks again for the info...Gary 

Check Walthers website under Tech Resources and you will find the templates for the modular system.

mikebo:

Foundations are optional but give a nice effect.

If he uses huge railcar door, the foundations have to be used because of how the wall section is set up for the door to be big enough.

 You will be using the foundations as well as the walls to raise the rail door high enough to clear the switch engine or boxcars for example. You cannot clear high/wide like the 89' boxcars.

One trick I used was half inch foam under the building itself to raise the raildock foundation to the rail head height. With that, I was able to stuff ACF Hoppers inside with one or two scale inch clearance at top and no room for man on side of car.

 The door only needs to be about 14 scale feet high to handle the Roundhouse Old-Time Chip cars I will be using.  I have six, ca 1975 (3-pack for $5.25).  The car portion of the drum allows less than 1" space at the rear with a car in dump position, so a loco will never need to enter any portion of the apparatus.  Cookie cutter construction will allow for vertical adjustment of track to the dumper, and the foundation height off the base will be 1"+, ergo, I'll do that myself.                                                  Once I get the parts, I expect to do a bunch of modifying and fitting, as has been the case with the whole project...Gary